A photo posted by Melissa Silverman (@popnloque) on May 27, 2016 at 7:50am PDT

Located adjacent to the L.A. River in Frogtown, the 10,000-square-foot lot—long a repository for rusty cars—was transformed into an asada-and-michelada dreamscape. Designed by Project M Plus, it’s a cross between the backyard of a Joseph Eichler home and the town plaza in Oquitoa, Mexico.

The property’s auto shop is now the restaurant’s airy bar and kitchen. But most of the seating is outdoors, partly shaded by a wood-slatted canopy and lined with trees, cacti, succulents, and bike racks. Pull up a rainbow-bright school chair, order a chorizo plate, and drink in the scene.